London Public Library Kiosk
Techniques Used
Anthropometry Contextual Inquiry Trial Fittings Hierarchical Task Assessment (HTA)
Prototyping Wireframing Risk Assessment
This team project was done in conjunction with a London-based ergonomics company for a MSc in Human Computer Interaction ergonomics module. The brief was to create a kiosk that reduces main desk queues, helps librarians focus on meaningful tasks, and can be sold off-the-shelf to other libraries.
We presented a client proposal for a new public library kiosk as a mock company, Systems for All. Below is the polished proposed design, followed by the ergonomic design process.
Ergonomic Design Process
Understanding the Library Ecosystem
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Environmental Observations: Studied 11 different public libraries in London and South East England
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Top-down perspective: Interviewed 12 librarians to see how administrative functions
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Bottom-up perspective: Interviewed 10 users to analyse current systems
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Competitor analysis: Studied other libraries’ self-service kiosks in real life setting and online
User Requirements
Accessibility
Easy to Navigate UI
Reliability
Quick Process
Physical Prototyping
Cardboard prototype of kiosk with screen, payment functionality, surface area for library items and/or user bags, and removable trolly
Screen angle was made adjustable so we could conduct trial fittings for ideal angle
Fitting Trial
We conducted fitting trials for screen angle & payment functionalities. Anthropometrics were used to calculate height.
Features
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Height and screen angle of the kiosk accommodate all users
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Leg space of 330mm under the kiosk screen for an easier arm reach
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Scanning shelf to accommodate a maximum of 15 items
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Enough space on the scanning shelf for books and unloading bag
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Library Trolley under scanning shelf for easy return and reshelving of books/audiobooks/DVDs
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Add credit option for ease of use and faster process than classical payments
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Contrast, text size and language options
Hierarchical Task Analysis
Manual Handling Risk Assessment
Using the Manual Handling Assessment Charts (the MAC tool) by HSE:
- Load weight/frequency of user's library items should be less than 10 kg G0
- There should be no postural constraints G0
- The floor surface should be dry and clean at all times and when not, the kiosk area will be closed G0
- There will be a reasonable grip of a stack of books since there are no handles on books A1
- There may be glare on the screen A1
- Hand distance from the back may often require the torso to be bent forward A3
- The torso could be twisted and the user bend to the side when lifting from the floor R2
- Vertical lift region can be from the floor R3
Lo-Fi Wireframes
We created several wireframes of different user journeys for our client proposal.
Sample: In the U.K., many supermarkets have self-service checkout with instructional "GIF" like videos. We utilized this mental model and included an instructional video in our "Borrow Items" user journey, shown below.
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The Team
Sophie, Wojciech, Giles, Dominic, Nasir, and Jessie